Norfolk Public Schools Seek Extension for Closure Plan

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Community members gather to discuss the implications of school closures in Norfolk.

News Summary

Norfolk Public Schools officials have requested an extension from the City Council to finalize the consolidation plan affecting 10 schools due to concerns over declining enrollment. The new deadline proposed is September 19, aimed at allowing more community input. With community support growing for this delay, public input sessions have taken place, but opinions remain divided on school closures. Plans for the consolidation could lead to significant savings and are tentatively set to begin before the 2026-2027 school year.

Norfolk – Norfolk Public Schools officials have formally requested an extension from the City Council to finalize a plan aimed at closing and consolidating 10 schools. The proposed new deadline is September 19, extending the initial requirement set for August 1 after a resolution passed in March. The Norfolk School Board Chair Sarah Dicalogero and Interim Superintendent James Pohl emphasized the need for additional community input in their letter to the Council.

The City Council’s original deadline for presenting the closure plan is stipulated in a resolution that includes punitive measures against the school board if the deadline is not met. Norfolk Public Schools has been developing the consolidation strategy for several months amidst concerns about declining enrollment and the effective use of district resources.

The initial list of ten schools earmarked for closure includes:

Ghent School
Tarrallton Elementary School
Willoughby Early Childhood Center
P. B. Young Sr. Elementary School
Lindenwood Elementary School
Granby Elementary School
Berkley Campostella Early Childhood Education Center
Norview Elementary School
The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center
Norfolk Technical Center

Public input sessions have been held in which community members voiced their concerns, particularly regarding the impact of closures on students and local neighborhoods. Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander has voiced support for the request for a delay to enhance community engagement in the decision-making process.

The City Council will deliberate on the extension request during a session scheduled for August 26, following a summer recess. Additionally, there are discussions underway regarding the demolition of Ghent School and the construction of a new 4,000-seat football stadium as part of a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Maury High School. A vote on a significant $214.9 million design and construction agreement for Maury High School, however, has been postponed.

Two further public input sessions focused on the school closure plan are set for Saturday at Norfolk Scope, coinciding with a Unity in the Community back-to-school event. The School Board aims to hold its final vote on the proposal on September 17.

A broader context surrounds these developments, with a significant decline in student enrollment noted in recent reports. Projections indicate a drop from 31,176 students in 2010 to an estimated 24,459 by 2025, representing a decrease of over 21%. A report from a consultant has suggested that Norfolk’s school district operates between three to 17 more schools than necessary, which could yield annual savings of around $20 million if closures occur.

The community remains split over the potential school closures, with some advocating for attention to their specific neighborhood needs and others acknowledging the necessity of the consolidation plan. Plans for implementation are aimed at beginning before the 2026-2027 school year, with the goal of closing at least two schools each year until the excess capacity is effectively addressed.